A HOSPITAL celebrated its first Christmas by inviting friends and patients to a tree lighting ceremony.
Staff at Bishop Auckland's new £67m hospital wanted to do something special to mark the festivities so trust chairman Angela Ballatti invited everyone who supported the hospital since it opened. Students from King James I Community College, Bishop Auckland, and Cockton Hill Junior School sang while Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band serenaded the crowd and chairman of the Hospital League of Friends, Dorothy Taylor, switched on the tree lights.
The event was broadcast live on hospital radio to patients who were unable to attend.
Julie Oliver, for the hospital, said: "This is the first Christmas in our new hospital and we wanted to mark the occasion in some way.
"It was a really enjoyable evening and we were pleased to see so many friends there."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article